Toyota may be the king of international sales, but that doesn’t mean that the company’s trucks and cars are without added safety problems. The latest, involving faulty heaters in the seats of six models including 2013-2014 Camry, Corolla, Avalon, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, prompting the immediate cessation of sales for more than 36,000 unsold vehicles in the US until the heating component is replaced.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), they were first notified of the problem after tests being done by South Korea’s Automotive Test and Research Institute discovered that the fabric backing material used near seat heaters did not comply with U.S vehicle flammability standards.

"The timing of this issue, and its impact on Toyota's most popular models, couldn't be much worse," stated Karl Brauer, analyst for Kelley Blue Book,. "Given that much of the U.S. is currently in the grips of a record cold snap there's sure to be high demand for models with seat heaters."

Meanwhile Toyota spokesman John Hanson noted that there have been no reports of any seat fires or injuries involving the models listed above, and as a result the company is not planning on issuing a recall for any of the vehicles already sold.

For more information, readers can contact the NHTSA at 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE West Bldg., Washington, DC 20590 888327-4236.

Share this article

An award winner writer and songwriter, Diana Duel is also the author of two books devoted to helping women achieve fulfillment and success in the automotive world as drivers on the road, as well as the racetrack. She has also led a monthly "psychic circle" devoted to helping its members contact their higher selves and promote wellness in mind, body and spirit for many years. Readers are invited to visit her website at www.musesandmeditations.com.